When a scathing TripAdvisor review turns into flourishing sales

One pub posted its reply to a scornful TripAdvisor on Facebook – and the response was wonderful.

When the licensees of the Hare and Hounds pub in Hipperholme, West Yorkshire, faced a TripAdvisor complaint, regarding their six-year-old son George helping to lay the tables in the pub, they never imagined it would evoke such a positive response from others.

The review, titled “Doubling as a childcare facility…?”, left by one disgruntled customer prompted licensees Tammy and Lee Marshall to respond with a Facebook post (below) to see if other diners agreed.

However, the post resulted in over 30 comments supporting the pub and its family-friendly attitude plus was followed by three five-star reviews on the TripAdvisor review site.

A reminder that for every one disgruntled keyboard warrior there is an army of supportive customers behind you.

It also resulted in extra bookings at the pub after other local people spotted the business via the post.

Tammy said: “We wanted to see what everyone else thought, and it’s actually had a very positive effect.

“We haven’t named the reviewer, they are still anonymous, but it was great to see such support behind us and it’s done the business a turn.

“Even people who have never dined here got involved and said they we’re now booking to visit.”